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By: gallowshillsite https://streetsofsalem.com/2019/03/06/the-snow-castle/#comment-53227
Tue, 12 Mar 2019 17:52:35 +0000http://streetsofsalem.com/?p=63206#comment-53227Startled to learn that no one “has lived there during the whole time I’ve lived on Chestnut Street.” That makes three long-vacant mansions in the McIntire District that I know of: 30 Chestnut St here (6 bdrms 9,300 sq ft), 329 Essex St (5 bdrms 5,500 sq ft), and of course the ever notorious and decrepit 6 Federal Ct (8 bdrms 4,000 sq ft). Perhaps you, with your ears on the pulse of the District, know of others? That is lots of living space that could instead be occupied by many deserving families.

This illustrates a problem that until your post I thought Salem was immune to – vacant luxury properties kept empty in hope of gaining appreciation, not for the rents. It’s a problem in many major cities around the world, Boston included, so much so that many big city mayors have considered, even proposed, vacancy surtaxes of 50% or more on such properties. The rumor is that up to half the units in billionaire towers (like Millennium Place in Boston) are vacant.

Not sure that vacancy taxes would push occupancy (if you are a Chinese tech magnate or an Arab oil sheik who can afford $100K in taxes a jump to $150K won’t phase you), but at least the increased revenue can be dedicated to increasing affordable housing, infrastructure, and such. But a vacancy tax in lesser Salem might just push occupancy.

FYI while I have your attention: according to property records 30 Chestnut last sold in May ’98 for a mere $82,612! Current valuation $1.4 million! Any idea of the reason for the fire sale price 20 years ago?

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By: daseger https://streetsofsalem.com/2019/03/06/the-snow-castle/#comment-53120
Thu, 07 Mar 2019 00:43:30 +0000http://streetsofsalem.com/?p=63206#comment-53120Thanks Helen–looking forward to it. I’ve been to Portugal before, but years ago, so very keen to see what has changed and what has remained the same.

Thanks for sharing those lovely shots of the Wheatland/Pickering/Phillips house on Chestnut Street after our recent snow storm. Of course, you went further providing the background of the architect John Prentiss Benson and the home’s original owner Ann Marie Wheatland. Another example of your archival retrieval skills.

I look forward to your posts about your upcoming trip to Portugal. The architecture there is so unique, given the country’s geographical distance from the heart of Europe – the cathedrasl, cloisters, monasteries, castles – you will love it. The Manueline ornamentation is particularly beautiful in the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon. What I recall most is the nautical motif of the carved roping of the pillars in the church. Enjoy!

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By: Jackie https://streetsofsalem.com/2019/03/06/the-snow-castle/#comment-53113
Wed, 06 Mar 2019 17:20:05 +0000http://streetsofsalem.com/?p=63206#comment-53113I believe it’s a fringe tree in front of your Snow House that smells DIVINE when it blooms. I stopped in my tracks one time because it smelled so wonderful.